Device for sharpening the tapered points of dental instruments

ABSTRACT

A novel device for sharpening the tapered ends of dental instruments such as explorers and picks is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated housing having a shaft extending from one end thereof for insertion into a dental drill which effects rotation of the housing about an axis. The other end of the housing defines an open, elongated cavity in axial alignment with the shaft. A grinding stone is adapted to be removably inserted into the cavity, the stone having a cylindrical bore therethrough in alignment with the rotational axis of the housing and being maintained in place in the housing by a removable end cap. The tapered ends or points of dental instruments are inserted into the cylindrical bore of the stone while the housing is being rotated by the dental drill and, through suitable manipulation of the dental instrument, the tapered point thereof can be readily renewed.

United States Patent 1 Rodriguez et al.

[111 3,722,146 Mar. 27, 1973 [76] Inventors: Leopoldo Rodriguez, 1304 Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colo'.. 80909; Donald G. 'Birk, 1130 Waston Road, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80915 [22] Filed: 2, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 120,176

[52] US. Cl ..51/73 R, 51/170 R, 51/206 R, 32/40 [51] Int. Cl. 3/60, B24b'23/0O [58] Field of Search. ...,51/73 R,*2 O6 R, 170 PT, 173, 51/204, 205; 32/40; 145/3.l', 144/28, 39

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,076,449., 4 1937 Doner ..5l/206 R 3,188,674 6/1965 7 'l-l0bbs.....

DEVICE FOR SHARPENING THE TAPERED POINTS OF DENTAL INSTRUMENTS Weiss renewed.

Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Attorney-Dennis O. Kraft and Herbert I. Cantor ABSTRACT having a shaft extending from one end thereof for insertion into a dental drill which effects rotation of the housing about an axis. The other end of the housing defines an open, elongated cavity in axial alignment with the shaft. A grinding stone is adapted to be removably inserted into the cavity, the stone'having a cylindrical bore therethrough in alignment with the rotational axisof the housing and being maintained in place in the housing by a removable end cap. The

tapered ends or points of dental instruments are inserted into the cylindrical bore of the stone .while the housing is being rotated by the dental drill and, through Suitable manipulation of the dental instrument, the tapered point thereof can be readily 6 Claims, SDrawin'g Figures DEVICE FOR SHARPENING TAPERED POINTS OF DENTAL INSTRUMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to sharpening devices and particularly concerns a device for sharpening the tapered point of dental instruments such as explorers and picks.

1 During the routine examination of the teeth of a pa tient, virtually every dental practitioner utilizes a picklike device known as an explorer. Such explorers are elongated instruments which define a sharpened tapered point at at least one end thereof, these instruments being utilized by the practitioner to find cavities in teeth. Specifically, cavities can be found by probing the teeth with the tapered tip of the explorer, this tip sinking into the cavities or soft'areas of the teeth thus indicating a cavity or potential trouble spot. As long as the tapered end of the instrument is sharp, incipient decay will not be missed by the dentist. Yet, as the tapered point dulls, the small or incipient decay areas can be readily overlooked since the dull point of the instrument will not sink into a cavity of small size.

During use of the instrument, the tapered point thereof inherently tends to become dull' thus, in essence, limiting the useful life of the instrument since the dentist normally will dispose of the instrument at this point. 7

While the explorer or other such instrument may indeed be worn, the instrument stillhas the potential for a much longer period of' service providing, however, that some facile technique be devised for renewing the sharpness of the tapered ;pointthereof. If the point could indeed be renewed and sharpened, alarge economic savings tothe dental practitioner would result. Additionally, if the explorer or other dental instrument utilized were always maintained in its mostsharpened condition, the quality of the dental examination would be greatly increased.

- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With above background in mind, it is the primary ob ject of the instant invention to provide a device which, in a simple manner, will readily sharpen the tapered points of dental instruments such as explorers or picks.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide such a sharpening device by which the shape and size of the point produced on the dental instrument can easily be controlled by the operator.

An additional object of the instant invention concerns the provision of such a sharpening device wherein the motive power utilized in the sharpening process is taken from a dental drill itself.

Still another object of the instant invention is the provision of 'a sharpening device of the type described, which device itself can be manufactured 'in a most economical manner, thus reducing the over-all cost to the dentist for the maintenance and replacement of the dental instruments used.

A still further object of the instant invention is a provision of a sharpening device which can regularly be utilized by the dentist so that all pointed dental instruments can be maintained in their efficient sharpened state, thus increasing the quality of the dental examination.

These objects as well as others which. will become apparent as the description proceeds are implemented by the instant invention which, as aforestated, defines a device for sharpening the tapered points of dental instruments such as explorers and picks. In its preferred embodiment, the novel device of the instant invention will be seen to comprise an elongated housing which has a shaft extending from one end thereof, much as would the shaft of avdrill bit, for example. The other end of the elongated housing is hollowed-out thus' defining an open, elongated cavity, which cavity is maintained in axial alignment with the shaft. The shaft itself is adapted to be inserted into the chuck, for example, of a dental drill whereby rotation of the housing is effected about an axis. The novel invention contemplates the provision of a grinding stone such as an oil impregnated India stone, for example, which stone is adapted to be inserted into the cavity ofthe housing. The grinding stone itself is provided with a cylindrical bore therethrough in alignment with the rotational axis of the housing into which bore the tapered point of a dental instrument is insertable. In the preferred inventive embodiment, the cylindrical bore through the stone is of constant internal diamater which, as will be explained herein below, allows the operator of the device to readily control the shape and size of the point provided on the dental instrument. Finally, a removable end cap is disposed about the end of the housing in which the cavity is provided, this end cap securing the grinding stone in the cavity during use.

An operator of the novel sharpening device would insert same into the dental drill, start the drill and thereby effect rotationof the housingand of the grinding stone contained therein. The tapered point of the dental instrument which is to be sharpened is then inserted into the cylindrical bore of the rotating grinding stone, the stone now providing a honing device. The dental instrument would be twisted slightly so as to move the point ment inserted into the throughbore therein would be rotated slowly about the inner periphery of the throughbore so as to generate the shape and size of point needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention itself will be better understood and additional features and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred inventive embodiment, such description referring to the appended sheet of drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the sharpening device of the instant invention inserted into the chuck of a dental drill or engine;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the housing and the drive shaft;

FIG. 3 is an elevational viewof the housing. of the sharpening device depicted in FIG. 2, this view being in section through the longitudinal axis of the housing;

FIG. 4 is. an elevational view, partially broken away for illustrative clarity, of the grinding stone of the inthe cavity of the housing;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view in section of the end cap adapted to be disposed about the housing of the novel invention so as to maintain the grinding stone in the cavity during use.

Like -parts are indicated by the same reference number throughout these several views of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE PREFERRED INVENTIVE EMBODIMENT from FIG.'3, defines a hollowed-out or open elongated cavity 14, this cavity being in axial alignment with the shaft 12 of housing 10. In the preferred inventive em bodiment, a plurality of threads 16' are disposed externally about housing in the area of the cavity 14. As can also best be seen from an inspection of FIG. 3, the

' base of the cavity 14 within housing 10 comprises a section 16 defining a reservoir for waste particlesof the sharpening process as will be discussed hereinbelow.

A honing device such as a grinding stone 18 as illustrated in FIG. 4, is provided and is adapted to be removably inserted into the cavity 14 of housing 10. Grinding stone 18 is preferably of elongated cylindrical construction and is provided with a cylindrical bore 20 therethrough, cylindrical bore 20 being in axial alignment with shaft 12 and cavity -14 of housing 10. In the preferred inventive embodiment, cylindrical bore 20 of grinding stone 18 displays a constant internal diameter throughout the length thereof. Additionally, in the preferred inventive embodiment, grinding stone 18 comprises an oil impregnated India stone which has been found, in practice, to display particularly desirable grinding characteristics on the metals commonly utilized for dental instruments such as explorers or picks.

After grinding stone 18 has been slid or inserted into cavity 14 of housing 10, an end cap 22 such as best can be seen in FIG. 5 is secured to the end of housing 10 about cavity 14. Specifically, end cap 22 will be seen to be internally threaded as at 24 and, in a position through an end thereof in alignment with cavity 14 and shaft 12 of housing 10, a bore 26 is provided. The

overall length of the cylindrically shaped grinding stone 18 is adapted to be slightly longer than the length of the cavity 14 in housing 10 such that when the grinding stone 18 is inserted into the cavity 14 and the end cap 22 is threadily disposed about the end of housing 10, the internal end wall of cap 22 in which bore 26 is provided will abut against the grinding stone 18 and stone 18 inserted into cavity 14 of housing 10, and the bore 26 in the end wall of the end cap 22 are all in axial alignment with one another. The novel device, when so assembled, is ready for utilization in a sharpening process as described immediately below.

Referring at this time to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the

sharpening device of the instant invention is depicted as being coupled to a schematically illustrated dental drill or engine 30. Specifically,'the extending shaft 12 of the housing 10 of the device. is adapted to be inserted into the chuck 32 of the drill 30, operation of drill 30 effecting rotation of housing 10 and its component parts about its rotational axis. The tapered end of a dental instrument such as an explorer'or pick would be inserted through the bore 26 into the throughbore 20 of the now-rotating grinding stone 18. The tapered end of the instrument would not, however, be inserted in a fashion such that the tapered end is in alignment with the rotational axis of housing 10 but rather would be in-' serted slightly off center of the axis of throughbore 20 so as to make contact at its point with the inner periphery of the grinding stone. While the sharpening device is rotating, the operator who would be holding the dental instrument beingsharpenedwould -then move the tapered point of the instrument in a circular ability in the user to control both shape and size of point of the instrument being sharpened is an important advantage of the instant invention and results from the fact that the internal throughbore 20 of grinding stonesatility. Furthermore, during the grinding process,

securely hold same in place within the cavity 14. To

facilitate the disposition of end cap 22 to the end of housing 10, it will be seen that the external surface of end cap 22 is knurled as at 28 so as to insure good frictional contact with the fingers of the user.

When assembled, it will be seen that the shaft 12 of housing 10, the internal throughbore 20 of the grinding minute particles of metal from the tapered end of the dental instrument being sharpened will be produced. Yet, the throughbore 20 of grinding stone 18 remains clear since these minute particles do not collect in the throughbore, but rather collect in section 16 of cavity 14 which defines a reservoir for such minute waste particles.

As can now be appreciated, the objects initially set device comprising:

an elongated housing having a shaft extending from one end thereof for insertion into a dental drill to effect rotation of said housing about an axis the other end of said housing defining an open elongated cavity of 'a predetermined length in axial alignment with said shaft, the base of said cavity within said housing comprising a closed section defining a reservoir for retaining waste particles of the sharpening process;

an elongated grinding stone for removable insertion into said cavity, said stone having a cylindrical bore therethrough in alignment with the rotational axis of said housing into which'bore the tapered point of a dental instrument is insertable; and

a removable end cap disposed about said other end of said housing, said cap having an end wall adapted to abut against said grinding stone so as to secure said grinding stone in said cavity, whereby said grinding stone rotates with said housing.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid cylinwith the threads of said housing.

drical bore through said grinding stone is of constant 6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said end cap is externally knurled. I I y 

1. A device for sharpening the tapered points of dental instruments such as explorers and picks, said device comprising: an elongated housing having a shaft extending from one end thereof for insertion into a dental drill to effect rotation of said housing about an axis, the other end of said housing defining an open elongated cavity of a predetermined length in axial alignment with said shaft, the base of said cavity within said housing comprising a closed section defining a reservoir for retaining waste particles of the sharpening process; an elongated grinding stone for removable insertion into said cavity, said stone having a cylindrical bore therethrough in alignment with the rotational axis of said housing into which bore the tapered point of a dental instrument is insertable; and a removable end cap disposed about said other end of said housing, said cap having an end wall adapted to abut against said grinding stone so as to secure said grinding stone in said cavity, whereby said grinding stone rotates with said housing.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical bore through said grinding stone is of constant internal diameter.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said grinding stone comprises an oil impregnated India stone.
 4. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said grinding stone is of a length slightly longer than that of said cavity so as to slightly protrude therefrom, the end wall of said removable end cap being adapted to abut against said protruding grinding stone.
 5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing is externally threaded about said other end thereof, said end cap being interNally threaded for engagement with the threads of said housing.
 6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said end cap is externally knurled. 